It'll cost you $1.35 million to own one, but putting together a Kuratas isn't any easier. The latest video of the monstrous mech shows it being transported and assembled. That means flatbeds, cranes and a whole lot of socket wrenches. Of course, at the end of the day, you've got a 13-foot tall robot you can climb inside. Certainly puts that Ikea bookshelf project into perspective, huh?

Suidobashi Heavy Industries has put the finishing touches to its latest project, the 4.4-ton Kuratas. Mobile suit obsessives around the world can thank artist Kogoro Kurata and robotics expert Wataru Yoshizaki for the robot frame, which has space to house a pilot inside. The mech's touchscreen UI even includes a Kinect-based movement interface and the shudder-inducing "smile-activated" twin BB gatling guns. You can customize your own diesel-powered beast in the dystopian gang colors of your choosing, but be advised: the $1.35 million price tag doesn't include further customization options like a faux leather interior, cup holder or phone cubby. The Kuratas does, however, come with the ability to make phone calls direct from the cockpit, so you can tell your enemies that you're coming for them.

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Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:43:00 -040021|20288842http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/gundam-statue-rebuilt-to-guard-eponymous-museum/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/gundam-statue-rebuilt-to-guard-eponymous-museum/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/gundam-statue-rebuilt-to-guard-eponymous-museum/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23commentsLet's be honest, the saga of the giant RX-78-2 couldn't have ended with the 59-foot replica mecha lying scattered in pieces. On April 19th, Bandai's opening a theme park dedicated to the world's greatest giant-robot cartoon, Neon Genesis Evangelion Mobile Suit Gundam. Adults will pay 1,000 yen ($13), Kids 800 yen ($10) to visit the 2,050 square-meter "Gundam Front," park, in a shopping mall in Tokyo's Odaiba district. There's even a themed café and store, to buy all of your giant-robots and giant-robot-based accessories -- but no word yet if we'll be able to build our own version of the giant Gundam that'll guard the entrance. In other news, we've still not heard anything about that Space Battleship Yamato-themed cruise liner that was in the offing a few years ago.

Believe it or not, the massive seven-foot Gundam you're looking at was mostly constructed out of paper -- 720 sheets, to be exact. The papercraft artist behind the model, Taras Lesko (aka Visual Spicer), began creating it nearly a year ago, and estimates that it took him about 350 hours and four to five months to complete. As explained on his video commentary, the process started with building a store-bought model for photographs, using the shots to render it in 3D on his computer. After that, he created various templates using a variety of programs, which were then printed, cut and assembled into place. Notably, the final product has 1,250 total parts, weighs in at about 10 pounds and packs an internal 12-piece foamboard skeleton to stand. All of that is only the part of the final product, though.

Taking it a few steps further, he created a bevy of "fantasy shots" (like the one above) with his brother, Ivan -- and of course, Photoshop -- and even filmed both endeavors as timelapse videos. According to Taras, the aim was to make something "bigger and better" than the four-foot papercraft Gundam, which he made nearly three years ago and burned to ashes on video prior to this project -- we'd say mission accomplished. You'll find the construction timelapse video after the break, along with more related vids and photos at the source link below.

After a brief hiatus, that giant Gundamstatue we spotted a couple years ago has once again returned home to Tokyo -- though he clearly didn't make the voyage in one piece. Rather than reconstruct the 60-foot robot in its entirety, Bandai, the company behind the Gundam franchise, has decided to scatter its limbs, weapons and machinery all over an artificial island. For about $6.50, anime fans and Derrida enthusiasts can view the deconstructed mecha in all its glory, sit in the palm of his hand, or even use a fixed bicycle to make his head glow. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Storm past the break for an extra pic of the exhibit.

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Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:08:00 -040021|20017571http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/31/mad-modelers-make-10-foot-tall-recycle-grade-gundam-model-from/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/31/mad-modelers-make-10-foot-tall-recycle-grade-gundam-model-from/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/31/mad-modelers-make-10-foot-tall-recycle-grade-gundam-model-from/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
For model makers, parts trees are a necessary evil. They keep individual components from sliding around in the box and damaging each other, but often contain more plastic than the model itself. Plus, they offer plenty of sharp points just perfect for piercing blanched, sun-deprived skin. Those deadly and usually discarded bits were all that a team at Production Gandamuato needed to create this RC RX-78-2 Gundam, where the RC means "Recycle Grade." It stands three meters tall and took just over three months to complete, a process detailed in its entirety at the source link below. No, it isn't quite as ominous as the 1:1 scale statues threatening variousbits of Japan, but it is rather more environmentally friendly.
Gallery-100767

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Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:52:00 -040021|19614770http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/anas-gundam-jet-embarks-on-maiden-voyage-video/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/anas-gundam-jet-embarks-on-maiden-voyage-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/anas-gundam-jet-embarks-on-maiden-voyage-video/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
In case you weren't already aware, the island nation of Japan regards the thirtieth anniversary of their imaginary anime robot warriors as kindof abigdeal, and so it seems fitting that they'd deck out a similarly gigantic flying object to match: the Boeing 777. All Nippon Airways (ANA) decked out the plus-size 777-300 model with full-size Gundam decals on either side, and the jumbojet made its first Tokyo-Osaka trip this weekend after a thorough photo shoot by reporters. We'd advise you to watch the skilled pilots take off and land after the break, but we'll warn you that you're in for mild disappointment -- at no point does a giant beam-saber-wielding robot burst out of the aluminum alloy frame.

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Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:39:00 -040021|19558606http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/giant-gundam-statue-returns-with-beam-saber-to-threaten-mt-fuji/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/giant-gundam-statue-returns-with-beam-saber-to-threaten-mt-fuji/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/giant-gundam-statue-returns-with-beam-saber-to-threaten-mt-fuji/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
Want to make a giant Gundam monument more better? Give it a beam saber and erect it just 45 minutes outside of Tokyo by bullet train. The resurrected 18-meter (59-foot) tall RX-78-2 mech will replace the dismantled 30th anniversary statue built at Shiokaze Park, complete with smoke, dramatic lighting effects, and animatronic head. Look for it outside of the Shizuoka station in July assuming the latest LHC collisions don't delay things by inadvertently destroying the mecha in a cloud of Minovsky particles. One more mock-up after the break.

Man, remember that wicked awesome 59 foot tall Gundam they erected in Tokyo? Well, those pictures we saw a month ago were cool, but they're nothing compared to the splendor of the thing lit-up like a futuristic, killer Christmas tree. So hit the read link for some more kick-ass pics of the thing, but not before you peep the video after the break.

In the Universal Century, we suppose this sort of thing will be rather blasé. But until then, there's really no better way to get our geek hearts a-flutter than some up close and personal pics of this 1:1 scale model of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam mecha, built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. We've been watching the construction of this thing rather closely and we're proud to announce that the finished product is every bit as badass as we'd hoped. If you're not planning on making the trip to Tokyo any time soon, feel free to take a gander at the thing in the gallery below. And our thanks to blogger Punynari for the awesome pics!

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Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:23:00 -040021|19066037http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/gundam-turns-30-celebrates-with-the-most-awesome-statue-ever/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/gundam-turns-30-celebrates-with-the-most-awesome-statue-ever/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/22/gundam-turns-30-celebrates-with-the-most-awesome-statue-ever/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
Statue of Liberty? Striking, but a bit demure. Trenchcoat-clad Stalin statue in Gori, Georgia? Iconic, but disheartening. Giant RX-78-2 Gundam statue at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan? Unquestionably badass. The massive biped is currently under construction, part of a celebration for the 30 year anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. When completed it will be full-scale, standing 59-feet tall, weighing 35 tons, and even shooting "light or mist" from 50 different points along its structure. All systems should be fully operational by July 11 -- hopefully soon enough to stop the forthcoming Zeon armada.

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Fri, 22 May 2009 10:29:00 -040021|1553798http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/19/gundam-crisis-attraction-opens-up-fanboys-unite/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/19/gundam-crisis-attraction-opens-up-fanboys-unite/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/19/gundam-crisis-attraction-opens-up-fanboys-unite/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
Right on schedule, the GUNDAM CRISIS attraction at the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park in Japan has opened its door for fanatics paying guests, and just as we expected, a whole slew of live photographs have made their way out. Fanboys (and girls) hoping that a great deal of care would be taken in its construction are likely to be pleased, as the 1:1 creation certainly bears a resemblance to the real deal. Without further ado, head on past the break for a few more shots, and tag the read link if you're looking for the whole roll.

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Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:36:00 -040021|944405http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/16/full-size-gundam-created-for-gundam-crisis-attraction/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/16/full-size-gundam-created-for-gundam-crisis-attraction/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/16/full-size-gundam-created-for-gundam-crisis-attraction/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
While those of you who have the luxury of frequenting the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan, we're sure a tear was shed when Gundam the Ride: A Baoa Qu was closed down just months ago. Thankfully, the successor is bigger, better, and almost ready to rock, as the GUNDAM CRISIS thrill ride prepares to envelope you in a Gundam hanger and elicit quite a few smiles. The actual Gundam will indeed be a 1:1 full scale rendition, meaning that it'll stretch to about 18-meters in height, and while we certainly wish you could strap it onto a rail and call it a roller coaster, this attraction looks to be one of those tamer "walk through types." Of course, that also means that there is no height or age requirement to see the ominous beast, and considering that it should shuffle its first guests through in July, you won't have to wait much longer to get your Gundam fix at Fuji-Q.

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Wed, 16 May 2007 13:49:00 -040021|897507http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/30/this-250-000-gundam-will-rock-your-uh-socks/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/30/this-250-000-gundam-will-rock-your-uh-socks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/30/this-250-000-gundam-will-rock-your-uh-socks/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
What's better than a 5-inch Gundam? Why a 5-inch Gundam slathered in platinum with diamonds for eyes, of course. This $250,000 robot soldier is manufactured by Bandai and will be on display next month at Baselworld, in Basel Switzerland. You know, for the big watch and jewelry show everyone's been talking about... sheez. Great, but we're not interested until this can be produced on a 1:1 scale.

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Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:43:00 -040021|863692http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/04/gundam-lantern-1-1-scale-lights-up-taiwan-lantern-festival/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/04/gundam-lantern-1-1-scale-lights-up-taiwan-lantern-festival/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/04/gundam-lantern-1-1-scale-lights-up-taiwan-lantern-festival/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23commentsAs part of a celebration for the Lantern Festival, a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year, the Taiwanese district of Jiayi put up a 1:1 scale model of the original Gundam in lantern form. Traditionally, an animal lantern is used as the central display, but this year a competition was run and as you can see, the RX-78 Gundam lantern won out. Not that the citizens had any choice in the matter: paper sheets have never looked so formidable. It still does "NOT!" top our Engadget pumpkin though.

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Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:49:00 -050021|845369http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/human-sized-gundam-assembled-by-maru-family/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/human-sized-gundam-assembled-by-maru-family/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/human-sized-gundam-assembled-by-maru-family/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
You'll have to forgive us for indulging ourselves in a moment of fanboyish wonderment here, but about the only thing we can think of that's better than Bandai's life-sized Gundam replica is that very replica being built from the ground up by Robo-One 10 Championship winners, the Maru family. There isn't any exact parallel here, but we'd vaguely liken this to watching Miyamoto-san assemble a Wii -- except still somehow better, perhaps due to the looks on those childrens' faces that manages to warm even our cold, metallic heart-pump devices. Trust us, your inner-child / fanboy will be sated.

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Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:18:00 -050021|739494http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/04/bandais-gundam-robot-goes-life-sized/%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%26ncid%3Drss_semi
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/04/bandais-gundam-robot-goes-life-sized/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/04/bandais-gundam-robot-goes-life-sized/%3Futm_source%3DFeed_Classic%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DEngadget%23comments
Japan's largest toy manufacturer is about to get life sized with the unveiling of a 5-foot tall Gundam. Bandai feels the worldwide recognition of the hit show Mobile Suit Gundam will garner big interest from "20- to 40- year old men," i.e. fanboys, otaku, whatever you wanna call 'em. The 77 pound robot has 14 movable body parts right down to its finger joints, and emits a plethora of sound effects (yes, the Vulcan fires too) while you remotely control his fear-inducing flashing eyes. Marketed as a "sophisticated plastic model" (kind of like its companion to the left), Bandai hopes to ship over 1,000 of these behemoths to living rooms and anime stores everywhere when they drop this December. If this has instantly skyrocketed atop your holiday wish list, you may want to reconsider -- the ¥350,000 ($3,000) pricetag and the giant hassle of self-assembling over 250 parts might just deter all but the most hardcore fans who won't even get the pleasure of mounting up and wearing it around the house, shooting at imaginary Gundam Wings.